MLB Free Picks for
Posted at 10:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.
Washington +105 over St. Louis
6:45 PM EST. On the surface, both Andre Pallante (RHP - St. L) and Zack Littell (RHP - WAS) come into this one with spotless 0.00 ERAs, but this is where digging into the analytics gives us the edge. Pallante’s profile leans heavily on contact management—he’s not a big strikeout arm, and his xERA and xFIP historically sit higher than his ERA due to limited swing-and-miss stuff. That means he’s often pitching to contact and relying on batted-ball luck and defense. When that margin tightens, especially on the road, things can shift quickly if hitters start finding gaps instead of gloves.
Littell, on the other hand, quietly brings a more stable underlying profile into this matchup. His command and ability to limit walks help keep his xFIP in a more favorable range, and he does a better job controlling innings by avoiding free passes. While he’s not overpowering either, Littell’s approach is built on efficiency and sequencing—two traits that tend to hold up better over time than relying on contact suppression alone. If both pitchers regress—as early 0.00 ERAs almost always do—the one with the cleaner underlying metrics and command edge is typically the safer bet to outperform expectations.
The market is treating this like a coin flip tilted slightly toward St. Louis, but the deeper numbers suggest Washington has every bit the pitching foundation to compete here. When you can grab plus money at home in a matchup where both starters carry regression flags and the edge leans subtly your way, that’s a position worth taking. In a sport driven by small margins and long-term value, backing the home dog in a spot like this isn’t just a play—it’s the right play.
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Our Pick
Washington +105 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.10)
Posted at 10:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.
Chicago +110 over Tampa Bay
4:10 PM EST. Jameson Taillon (RHP - TB) comes in with a sparkling 0.00 ERA, but seasoned bettors know that early-season ERA can be misleading without context. The key is how his underlying profile looks—his xERA and xFIP suggest a pitcher who’s limiting damage through command and weak contact rather than pure dominance. Taillon isn’t overpowering, but he’s efficient, keeps walks in check, and forces hitters to earn everything. That kind of profile travels well, especially when he’s locating early and getting ahead in counts.
On the other side, Shane McClanahan brings the bigger name and strikeout upside, but the 4.50 ERA paired with his advanced metrics tells a more complicated story. His xERA and xFIP indicate he hasn’t been quite as sharp as we’re used to seeing, with command inconsistencies leading to elevated pitch counts and more traffic on the bases. When McClanahan is dialed in, he can dominate any lineup—but when he’s even slightly off, he becomes vulnerable to disciplined offenses that can extend at-bats and capitalize on mistakes. That volatility matters when you’re laying a price.
The play swings toward the Cubs at plus money against the Tampa Bay Rays. You’re getting a steady, in-control arm in Taillon versus a higher-variance ace who hasn’t fully found his rhythm yet. In baseball, where small edges and timing matter, that’s enough to justify backing the dog. The line is leaning on reputation, but the analytics suggest this matchup is tighter than advertised. When you can grab plus money in a game that profiles close on paper, that’s a spot you take—and the Cubs fit that mold perfectly here.
Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer
Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works
Straight Bets:
If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.
Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.
Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.
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Our Pick
Chicago +110 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.20)
MLB Historical - Totals
| Range | W | L | P | +/- (Units) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yesterday | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Last 30 Days | 6 | 13 | 0.00 | -10.60 |
| Season to Date | 6 | 13 | 0.00 | -10.60 |
